Sacrilege? A fool's errand? Or maybe an okay idea?

[PreRaphaelite]

This is a genuine inquiry. The following are photos of other people's things, not my own, but they are here to illustrate the question.


So, I have a bunch of rings that I never wear. One of them I bought because it has French cuts on the sides, which I've always wanted to look at in-person with my own eyes. And it's great, but it's white gold. I just never wear it.

It looks pretty close to this, but with one Frenchie on each side, slightly bluer sapphire, and slightly better quality overall, of course:



Here's some moonstones in an Elizabeth Locke bangle, moody, lush, and timeless:


That's the look I think my ring would have (I mean, obviously without the hammering effect) if I sent it for gold-plating. I feel like I'd wear it more if it were not white gold. I think the ring would wind up looking vaguely like this:

Now for the big opinion ask: does it lose it's appeal? What do you think - does the sapphire lose it's 'pop', will plating it damage the stone, and could I be destroying the value of the ring? Let loose on me, I can take it!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

not sure of the specifics
im not sue about the specific make up of white gold (im a gold coloured gold gal too)
but they electroplate the gold on ?
surrly its not too difficult to take it off again ?
this is what i would be asking

 

[Rfisher]

I don’t know anything factual about technicalities of plating and if there’s different types, thicknesses, qualities or possible pitfalls to the set stones.

But if you wear it more once plated yellow, that wear will cause wear. Will it annoy you to see the areas wear away? Will it annoy you to have it redone repeatedly?

I don’t feel it will loose visual appeal with yellow over white gold.
Do I feel it might lose resale appeal (value) with the yellow plating? Possibly. Because of the weardown and replate aspect.

But - I think this might change my thoughts knowing if indeed reverse electroplating (not polishing off) as in a complete removal back to original status exists? Idk?

 

[PreRaphaelite]

Thanks for your response. You make a good point! I had to think about that for a moment. I'm not sure what would annoy me more, re-plating every year or so, or having this ring sit in its box.

I'm not quite ready to give up on it. And the hefty hulkiness of the ring makes me think re-polishing to remove the plating would be no great loss.

The local yokel (whose name shall be forever cursed quietly under my breath when I see work badly done) told me that there is no such thing as 'rose gold plating' only white or yellow. Maybe that's true but I'm considering the source - and he's unreliable. Surely there must be such a thing as rose gold flashing?

A warm blushy antique-y peachy gold would give contrast to the sapphire, so that would be ideal, but the rich buttery yellow shown above would also be nice. I briefly considered black rhodium, but that would be too Goth!

 

[LilAlex]

I think it depends on the which way the sapphire color pulls. I saw a royal blue in high-kt gold that looks amazing. But if it's a washed-out steely or denim-y blue, I would not go yellow gold -- I think the subtler color would get lost.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

This is about the colour - sort of chambray blue, not strong. Much like the Elizabeth Locke moonstone but more opaque, less translucent.

 

[LilAlex]

^ I can not comment on the technical part of the question but, in terms of aesthetics, if the photo above appeals to you, then I think you have your answer!

I do think this one works because it has a very antique -- almost medieval -- vibe so I am expecting a more "rock-like" gem and a mounting with some, uh, character. Not sure how I would feel if it had brand-new gleaming yellow-gold plating.

From the few re-plating threads I recall on here, I am not eager to try it. Admittedly, those were loss-of-detail/patina issues in elegantly carved or fabricated rings and not big swaths of plating. But I do not associate subtle stones with brilliant plating.

 

[PreRaphaelite]

Excellent point, how to create patina while laying a fresh coat of metal on? I can see that wouldn't be ideal. Shiny has never been my first choice. Oh dear.

That brings me to the thought of resetting the stone entirely. Which wouldn't be ideal either.

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

If it means you'll wear it then, why not? Most people don't have endless funds to buy something and just store it or reset. I don't. Unless it's a part of the crown Jewels or particularly notable design/era/type having a reversible process done is a practical solution. Is the white gold plated now? Can you have that taken off first and see if you like the light yellow of unplated white? It's hard to say what should be done as we don't know the limitations of the plating process and what finishes can be applied to the plating. Definitely ask a jeweler who deals in antiques/resale, or maybe David Klass may have dealt with that before. Depends on what kind of production it'll turn into. I would look into it.